While the MARA may feel very weird and uncomfortable now, in one week, you will have adjusted to it. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to help minimize any jaw soreness.
For the first week, you will experience difficulty chewing and swallowing. We recommend liquid foods for the first day like smoothies, soup, yogurt, ice cream, etc. The rest of the week, eat soft foods like over cooked pasta. Cut your food into small pieces and chew slowly so that you learn how to chew with the appliance.
You may also experience an increase in the amount of saliva in your mouth. This will decrease within a few days.
Remember to bite forward with your lower jaw until your muscles become accustomed to the new position. Do not bite down HARD. This can cause breakage.
You may feel like you're biting your cheeks at first. Your cheeks may even be puffy for the first few weeks. Use warm salt water rinses twice daily to help heal the cheeks.
Over-the-counter oral anesthetic with benzocaine (such as Orajel) can help to relieve soreness of your cheeks and gums.
If you should lose any part of the MARA appliance, please save it and bring it to your next appointment.
If anything feels loose or broken, call our office immediately to have it evaluated.
Stay away from hard, sticky, or chewy foods like chips, nuts, popcorn, taffy, caramel, etc.This will break the appliance, or get stuck under your gums and cause an infection.
If the upper and lower components of the MARA ever get stuck together and you cannot open your mouth, wiggle your lower jaw slightly side to side and you will be able to open.
